Description: Commercial Infrastructure for Robotic Assembly and Servicing (CIRAS) project pursued space-based, robotic assembly of flight hardware and space systems, using innovative technologies including NASA's Tension Actuated Long-reach In-Space Manipulator (TALISMAN) to reduce the costs and potential human hazards associated with hardware transfer and assembly activities. The project aimed to: demonstrate robotic reversible joining methods for mechanical and electrical connections; develop a feasible concept to validate space assembly geometries; and demonstrate repeatable module-to-module interfaces for in-space structural assembly. Orbital ATK performed an integrated ground demonstration, including a robotically deployed rigid backbone and welding using precision alignment. A modular solar array was attached and detached to demonstrate assembly and reuse.

Benefits:

CIRAS is developing tools to enable assembly of large modular structures in space and their reconfiguration as desired.